also-ran
noun
al·so-ran
ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 
ˈȯ-
1
: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race
2
: a contestant that does not win
3
: one that is of little importance especially competitively
was just an also-ran in the scramble for … privileges—
C. A. Buss
C. A. BussExamples of also-ran in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even though the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals all made the playoffs last year, they are considered also-rans in the AL in 2025 compared to the Yankees.
—Mark Ross, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Despite playing on American Bandstand, the band appeared destined for also-ran status.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
For almost a quarter century, Randy Bennett has turned this tiny Catholic college from an also-ran to a perennial NCAA Tournament team.
—Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Maybe producers didn't want to repeat the classic sketches used in 2015, leaving the 50th stuck with the also-rans and ones that are less than a year old.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
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Mark Ross, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Despite playing on American Bandstand, the band appeared destined for also-ran status.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
For almost a quarter century, Randy Bennett has turned this tiny Catholic college from an also-ran to a perennial NCAA Tournament team.
—Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Maybe producers didn't want to repeat the classic sketches used in 2015, leaving the 50th stuck with the also-rans and ones that are less than a year old.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for also-ran
Cite this Entry
“Also-ran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/also-ran. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.
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